The Sporting CP coach gives his verdict on the derby win

At the end of the 1-3 victory for Sporting Clube de Portugal away to SL Benfica, coach Rúben Amorim attended the press conference to analyse the derby.

He began by explaining that the absences of João Palhinha and Sebastián Coates, among others, were well covered.

"We have a small squad, but a very united one. It has advantages and disadvantages, and today things went well. If the result was different, with [Zouhair] Feddal going off, then people would say that we have few central defenders. The players are prepared", he told the media.

"The players were perfect in the way they adapted to what SL Benfica did, playing between the lines with Rafa and up top with Darwin. Gonçalo Inácio had a brilliant game in the middle", he stated.

"We were able to suffer when we had to suffer and we killed when we had to kill. It was an excellent game, but we need to improve. Today, Sporting CP were better than SL Benfica. You could say that the game is worth more than three points, but for me, it's up to me to say that it's only three points. This can change from one moment to another if we're not intense. I don't want to say that it wasn't a great, special game for Sporting CP players, but it's up to me to say that it was only three points", he added.

Amorim considered that Sporting CP "were always comfortable in the game".

"When we scored our first, we managed to control the game. We were the better side because my players understood the game better than the SL Benfica players. We could have scored more goals, but we could also have suffered more. We were superior and deserved the victory".

"I demand maximum commitment and maximum personality. Today, we were inspired. Everything went well for us and we had a great game. What matters is the way we look at the games, our personality and our consistency".

The coach also revealed that João Palhinha and Rúben Vinagre accompanied the team to the Estádio da Luz, and that Jovane Cabral spent the day with the team. In addition, Sebastián Coates "made a video call with his teammates and sent a message to the coach".

"We made Coates proud and if there's anyone we want to make proud, it's Coates. This is for all Sportinguistas, but especially Coates".

Finally, Amorim praised Manuel Ugarte and Paulinho. "Due to the lack of playing time that he [Manuel Ugarte] has had, the personality and quality he showed with the ball surprised me a lot. (...) Paulinho is giving what the fans expected of him now. I've been expecting it since the first day he arrived", he concluded.

A 1-3 derby win against SL Benfica makes a statement in Liga Portugal

Sporting Clube de Portugal emerged victorious in their derby with SL Benfica on Liga Portugal Matchday 13, winning 1-3 thanks to goals from Pablo Sarabia, Paulinho and Matheus Nunes.

The reigning league champions had some early adversity to overcome, with captain Sebastián Coates unavailable for the encounter with their cross-town rivals. Zouhair Feddal, Pedro Porro, Matheus Reis and Manuel Ugarte came into the starting lineup, with Ricardo Esgaio, Nuno Santos and João Palhinha dropping out.

In the stands, thousands of Sportinguistas filled the away section, and made themselves heard long before kickoff.

The first 45 minutes turned out to be a true masterclass by Rúben Amorim's side. Despite the two yellow cards shown to Zouhair Feddal and Paulinho a few seconds after the game got underway, it was Sporting CP who began better, with shots from Pedro Porro and Pablo Sarabia.

The opening goal came in the eighth minute, when an excellent move ended with a fantastic cross from Pedro Gonçalves to Pablo Sarabia, who struck first time past a static Odysseas to make it 0-1.

SL Benfica tried to attack with intensity, but the visitors soaked up the pressure and controlled the midfield. Grimaldo's header, saved by Antonio Adán, was the first and only shot by the home team in the first half.

Sporting CP then enjoyed several scoring opportunities. First, Gonçalves missed the target when in an excellent position -with the flag later raised for offside. Then, in the 37th minute, a counterattack concluded with an attempt that came back off the post.

A goal for Paulinho, disallowed by VAR for offside, took the game into the interval, with Sporting CP having had less possession (65% to 35%), but much more shots (1-6) and more corners (1-3), as well as taking the lead.

Zouhair Feddal made way for Ricardo Esgaio at the start of the second half and SL Benfica turned up the heat upon the restart, and hit the post through Darwin's header. Shortly thereafter, João Mário went through on Adán, but the Spanish keeper calmly sent the ball away.

On the counterattack that followed, Sporting CP took the score to 0-2. Matheus Nunes covered plenty of ground with the ball and set up Paulinho perfectly, with the striker providing a classy finish.

A Rafa Silva chance off the post was SL Benfica's response, but on 68 minutes the win was put beyond all doubt: Another tremendous sprint by Matheus Nunes sent him through to close in on Odysseas, beating him with a shot.

A Pizzi goal prevented a Sporting CP clean sheet, but the 1-3 result gave Os Leões the win, the league lead and a 12th consecutive victory in all competitions. They will now visit AFC Ajax for the sixth and final matchday of the UEFA Champions League group stage.

Sporting CP: Antonio Adán [GK], Luís Neto [C], Gonçalo Inácio, Zouhair Feddal (Ricardo Esgaio, 55'), Pedro Porro, Manuel Ugarte (Daniel Bragança, 90+2'), Matheus Nunes, Matheus Reis, Pedro Gonçalves (Nuno Santos, 90+2'), Pablo Sarabia (Pablo Sarabia, 83') and Paulinho.

The coach says he "believes in his team" ahead of the Lisbon derby

Sporting Clube de Portugal visit SL Benfica at the Estadio da Luz this Friday for a Lisbon derby on Liga Portugal Matchday 13, and coach Rúben Amorim previewed the game in his pre-match press conference.

He began by confirming that Jovane Cabral, Rúben Vinagre, Sebastián Coates and João Palhinha will all be out for the big game. Despite admitting that they are "players that are needed", Amorim assured that the side have the necessary talent to replace them.

"Everyone who is missing, due to the minutes and the characteristics they have, are difficult to replace. However, whoever comes in for them will be very capable. Everyone will have to lead the team in the game and we have to adapt to the characteristics of the players we have, which are different. Everybody is prepared", he added.

"The small details can change, but it won't be a big surprise. There were games without Coates or Palhinha that we won. In the last derby at Alvalade, we played without Palhinha and we won. The best Sporting CP will play, so let's look at the glass as half-full, for the project. There is nothing better than these games to blood these great players, who are young and have not been through these moments", he said.

He then analysed the game itself, and assured that the objective is the same as always: "It's a game against a great team with a very experienced coach, who have already had a year of work together. They have many solutions, and are very strong on second balls and between the lines. They can play with two forwards and Rafa Silva behind, or with Cebolinha between the lines. João has had a great season, Weigl has improved a lot... The defence doesn't concede many goals and the goalkeeper is having a great season. This will be a great team against another great team. We have our strengths and we obviously want to win".

On the current situation with the COVID-19 pandemic, which has affected several clubs and is what has prevented captain Coates from playing in the derby, he explained that the group have to "get used to living with this" and reinforced the importance of vaccination.

"We are vaccinated. Coates does not have any symptoms and that is the most important thing for us. We have seen that the vaccine works. It prevents serious symptoms and that is the main focus. For now, we have to safeguard ourselves and perform the tests. It provides more opportunities for others and more motivation for the squad".

Finally, the coach stated that he prefers not to be favourite to win.

"I really believe in my team, whoever plays. We are not favourites and this team likes it that way", he concluded.

The coach provides his assessment of a win over CD Tondela

Rúben Amorim was satisfied with an 11th consecutive win for Sporting Clube de Portugal in all competitions, but reflected on things that his side could have done better against CD Tondela.

“We grew during the game. We started off quickly and we scored the goal, but from there we switched off and let CD Tondela have some of the ball, meaning we had to accelerate to recover it. We lacked some energy in the first half, but in the second half we were different. We stepped up a gear again, as we knew we needed to score another goal because the game was always dangerous, and we got better. It was a fair result in a game that was always difficult. All games are, but we were deserved winners,” began the coach.

The goals were scored by Pablo Sarabia and Paulinho, but the coach explained that he looks more at the overall performance of each player -and not just the goals.

“I don't know if this is the best moment of form for this attacking trio, and even today I think they didn't have a great game. I'm happy that they scored, but they also know what they did in the first half and in the second," he said, speaking in particular about Paulinho: "Today he scored and we are grateful for it, but he also has to continue doing what he does very well."
Amorim also made mention of João Palhinha, who got injured during the game.

 “Palhinha was about to go off before. It's one of those unlucky things, but we have to wait for the results of his tests tomorrow. There is always the risk of him missing the game against SL Benfica, and everyone knows he is a very important player for us, but if he isn't there, Palhinha will be another member of the squad supporting us. We are going to play with eleven players and we are going to fight for the victory."

The Sporting CP coach was also asked about the match between Belenenses SAD and SL Benfica, which featured the home side being unable to field 11 players due to positive COVID-19 tests and the game eventually being abandoned.

 “It is a strange situation. Sporting CP have already said so in a statement. It cannot happen again, and we have to find a solution. We can't be having big European nights and then messing things up. Everyone saw it. It was all very strange.”

A 2-0 home win against CD Tondela prepares the team for the derby

Sporting Clube de Portugal bested CD Tondela 2-0 at home on Matchday 12 of the Liga Portugal season, making them the outright leaders in the league table.

Four days after the victory over Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League, the team returned to the Estádio José Alvalade with a changed starting XI: Rúben Amorim made three adjustments, fielding Antonio Adán, Luís Neto, Sebastián Coates , Gonçalo Inácio, Ricardo Esgaio, João Palhinha, Matheus Nunes, Nuno Santos, Pablo Sarabia, Paulinho and Pedro Gonçalves.

Gonçalo Inácio provided the first warning to the opposition, just two minutes into the game, with a shot from outside the area, but ended up not troubling goalkeeper Trigueira.

However, soon after, on 10 minutes, a clever team move led to a shot by Paulinho in the box. Luís Neto turned the intercepted ball over to Pablo Sarabia, and the Spanish international, beat the goalkeeper to make it 1-0. The goal would stand after a VAR check revealed that a CD Tondela defender has touched the ball after Luís Neto.

Sporting CP were in front and controlling the game, but a CD Tondela side weakened by absences due to positive COVID-19 tests showed that they were not going to make it easy. They responded with a shot by Dadashov and another by Rafael Barbosa -a former Sporting CP youth player.

In the second half, Os Leões regrouped and focused on getting a second goal. A first chance of the period fell to Sarabia, but it was Paulinho who made it 2-0; A combination between Sarabia and Nuno Santos saw the former shooting and Trigueira parrying, with Pedro Gonçalves collecting the rebound to set up Paulinho.

A first substitution led to Daniel Bragança replacing Matheus Nunes, before Pedro Gonçalves forced Trigueira to make a good save, as well as deny Sarabia on the follow-up.

In the 67th minute, Amorim made three changes at once, as João Palhinha, Pedro Gonçalves and Nuno Santos made way for Manuel Ugarte, Tiago Tomás and Flávio Nazinho -the latter having made his debut in the Champions League in midweek.

In the last twenty minutes, Antonio Adán was also called upon to intervene, denying the visiting team a consolation goal. He kept out an effort from Rafael Barbosa off a direct freekick.

The team took a comfortable win that sets them up well for the Derby da Capital, which takes place on Friday against SL Benfica at the Estádio da Luz.

The coach's briefing for the game against CD Tondela

This Sunday, Sporting Clube de Portugal welcome CD Tondela on Matchday 12 of the Liga Portugal season, and coach Rúben Amorim gave a press conference ahead of the contest.

"We want to read the game very well. We know the danger that we face," he warned. "CD Tondela have had time to prepare the game, and come to Alvalade motivated. We have to be even more motivated, knowing that one result can spoil all that we have been doing; that's why we play for a big club. We want to maintain our position and that's what we'll try to do."

Asked about the COVID-19 cases in the CD Tondela squad, which include their coach, Pako Ayestarán, Amorim commented that "it is always a difficult moment, but the teams are prepared. It's always better to have the coach with the team. The impact of having COVID-19 cases in the squad, whether it be the coach or players, is always unpleasant. I hope that he recovers quickly. However, they have already been working for more than a year with this coaching staff, and they will be prepared for the game," he said.

One player who will be available to CD Tondela, on loan from Sporting CP, is Eduardo Quaresma, and the Sporting CP coach has been keeping an eye on the young defender: "Quaresma had the opportunity here and we understood that he should play regularly. He's making progress on his own path, and we really believe in him. He has to improve and work hard to do well and return to Sporting CP."

In the last fixture, against Borussia Dortmund, Amorim handed a debut to Flávio Nazinho, who indicated that "signs and experience are being given to the players so that, in the future, they can be part of the first team. It is part of our project and we hope that, after [Flávio] Nazinho, many others will come through."

After the CD Tondela game, Sporting CP will visit SL Benfica, but Amorim emphasised that this is not the focus at the moment.

"I know my players. They know that an influence the CD Tondela game will have on my starting XI for the next game. It's the biggest motivation they can have. I trust everyone, and anyone who doesn't play well against CD Tondela won't play against SL Benfica. All it takes is a draw to destroy everything we've built in recent months. We have to win. If a bad result happens against CD Tondela, but the team give everything, then there is no problem. If we behave in a way which is not in line with the greatness of Sporting CP, then players could lose their places."

Finally, Amorim was clear in response to rumors about his future.

"I'm coach at Sporting CP, I have a contract with Sporting CP, and I'm very happy at Sporting CP. This is where I shall continue."

The coach reacts to the win against Dortmund

In the moments following the 3-1 triumph against Borussia Dortmund in the UEFA Champions League, Sporting Clube de Portugal coach Rúben Amorim called the performance by his side "close to perfection".

"We still had some flaws in a very difficult game, but the players' mutual help for each other and the way they read the game were perfect", he said at the post-match press conference.

“If we had lost and were in the UEFA Europa League, I would say the same thing. The road is very long, but we have gained a financial income that helps us and we are in the Round of 16. There are going to be some very difficult games and we could experience a big disappointment, but we have to focus on the path we have to take and the fact that we can play in the Champions League again and have a financial boost. Of course, I'm very happy for the players and with the growth they have made during this competition, so congratulations to them for a great game", he stressed.

As for the match, Amorim said: “We were much better offensively than we had been in Germany and we showed more quality. Besides that, we defended equally well, as Dortmund didn't have that many chances. We didn't slow things down because we wanted to, but because the game required that. The players understood the moments of the game. We had little of the ball, but we adapted and had a good game in that aspect".
 
As for the opponents who could meet them in the next stage, the coach admitted that there are teams that "I hope don't get drawn against Sporting CP".

“Let's see if we're lucky in the draw -and when I say luck, I'm talking about teams that match our system. There are certain teams I would prefer to meet, but I won't say which ones. Now what I want is for us to beat CD Tondela, and then SL Benfica".

Amorim also thanked the Sportinguistas, who turned out in force at a sold out Alvalade. “When we walked around the stadium at the end of the game and were applauded, it was remarkable. Many thanks to the fans for the way they support the team. Much of the growth we have made during this competition was due to our state of mind, and we know that the Sportinguistas are with us. Since I signed for this club, I have felt like a Sportinguista".

Finally, he also commented on the performance of Pedro Gonçalves, who was decisive with a brace. 

“He had gone seven games without scoring, but he is a player with a special instinct for a goal. He has to continue like this, because he has a great future ahead of him", he concluded.

The scorer of a brace talks about the win in the Champions League

Pedro Gonçalves was the Man Of The Match against Borussia Dortmund, scoring twice for Sporting CP. He spoke to the media after the game to give his thoughts on a big European night.

“Scoring was important for the team and for the club. I'm proud to have scored these two goals. I felt like I wasn't doing well in the game, but I did what I know best, which is to score, and I'm very happy about that," he began by saying, adding: "Qualifying for the Round of 16 is an honour for the club and for the fans who came to the stadium today. I thank them from the bottom of my heart".

The goalscorer then downplayed the fact that he missed a second half penalty -turned in by Pedro Porro on the rebound- stressing that the main objective of victory was achieved.

“Over the past season and the current campaign, I got used to scoring braces many times, but the hat trick is still elusive. I'm very happy with the victory by the team, which was the most important thing”, he stressed, revealing that he always dreamed of such a moment.

"Everyone knows what the UEFA Champions League means; it's the best competition in Europe. I'm very happy to have got here, through a lot of dedication and hard work, and I hope I don't stop at this”, he said.

'Pote' also praised the Sportinguistas, who sold out the Estádio José Alvalade.

“We feel extremely strong when they are present. In matches where the stadium is not so full, they are missed as they often push us on.We are very happy to have the fans with us and I hope they will continue to support us, because we are here to dignify the club and always do our best for them”, he assured.

Next up for the team is a return to Liga Portugal action this weekend, and Gonçalves says: “We are already thinking about the next game, which will be against CD Tondela. Before the Round of 16 we still have matches in the two cups, and that's what we're going to focus on. It's about going game by game. We are ready for everythin”.

A 3-1 win over Borussia Dortmund provides a place in the Champions League knockout stage

Sporting Clube de Portugal booked their ticket for the Last 16 of the UEFA Champions League by beating Borussia Dortmund 3-1 on Matchday 5 in Group C. A brace from Pedro Gonçalves and a further strike from Pedro Porro earned the team a tenth consecutive victory in all competitions, and qualification for the knockout stages with a game to spare.

 At a packed Estádio José Alvalade, Rúben Amorim made a change to bring back Sebastián Coates from injury into the starting lineup. Borussia Dortmund were without several key members of their squad, such as Haaland, Hummels and Thorgan Hazard.

The two teams cancelled each other out in the initial stages of the match, limiting any chances as the contest developed into an intense fight in the centre of the park.
After half an hour, Coates hit a long ball upfield to the attack, reaching Pedro Gonçalves, who took advantage of a mistake by the defence to break free, go one-on-one with goalkeeper Gregor Kobel and slide the ball past him to make it 1-0.

Soon after, Borussia Dortmund responded with a shot that hit the post, but Sporting CP got back on top with several attacks. They bore fruit in the 39th minute, when 'Pote' scored his second goal with an excellent shot from outside the area.

2-0 up at the interval, Sporting CP had a strong start to the second period, as Pablo Sarabia forced a good save from the opposing keeper after a pass by Pedro Gonçalves. and The Germans would have a goal eventually disallowed due to offside in the immediate aftermath.

Dortmund became more active in attack, with Sporting CP switching to a more compact style, waiting for fast transitions.

Ricardo Esgaio and Nuno Santos were brought on in the initial two substitutions, as the game got ever more intense. A turning point then arrived when Emre Can was sent off, leaving the visitors down to ten men.

Sporting CP capped the scoring when the referee blew for a penalty for a foul on Paulinho in the 80th minute; Gonçalves failed to convert, but Porro burst in to head in the rebound to take the score to 3-0.
 
Malen got a consolation goal for Dortmund before the end, whilst Sporting CP youth product, the 18 year old Flávio Nazinho, came on for Pedro Gonçalves to make his debut in the other good news from the night.

With nine points to their name, Sporting CP are through to the Last 16 before their away fixture against Ajax on December 7th.

Sporting CP: Antonio Adán [GK], Pedro Porro (Manuel Ugarte, 88'), Sebastián Coates [C], Gonçalo Inácio, Zouhair Feddal, Matheus Reis (Ricardo Esgaio, 67'), João Palhinha, Matheus Nunes, Pablo Sarabia ( Nuno Santos, 67'), Pedro Gonçalves (Flávio Nazinho, 88') and Paulinho (Tiago Tomás, 86').

​Words from the centre back before a crunch clash with Borussia Dortmund

Sporting CP defender Zouhair Feddal spoke on Tuesday in the press conference ahead of the UEFA Champions League against Borussia Dortmund.

The centre back rejected the idea that defensive consistency could be the key for Os Leões to achieve victory, stressing that the team always act as a whole.

“We always work both offensively and defensively, and we have a very compact block. The strength of our group is that we are a family and we always transmit this on the pitch. We are going into a very important game, after having achieved two good results. We have been growing in this competition, and it is a dream for us to compete in it", he began by saying.

 The Moroccan is one yellow card away from suspension in European competition, but stated that this would not affect the way that he approaches the match.

“Everyone always wants to play, but tomorrow we have a very important game for Sporting CP. We will play with motivation and desire. We're going to be up against great opposition and I hope I don't get a yellow card, but first I have to see if I play", he said before emphasising that the team are focused only on winning the match.

"We aren't thinking about celebrating going into the Round of 16, but rather on starting the game well and achieving our objective. There are three points available, just like any other game, but it's very important. We're only going to be focused on the game”.

Feddal also commented that he was very happy to be playing his debut season in the UEFA Champions League. “Over time I realised that I was right when I made the decision to come to Sporting CP, because the club gave me the opportunity to play in this competition. It's a dream for any child, and shows that dreams do come true. Fortunately, I managed to achieve this objective".